ONE: CURTAIN CALL IN THE SHADOWS

The dressing room was packed full with hot, vibrant and thirsty dancers, dressed fully in their ballet attire.

The performance which has given them sleepless nights was finally over. Outside the theater buzzed with people who had watched the performance.

The dancers had their families and loved ones waiting for them, clutching flowers in their hands.

Micah stood by a corner, watching the buzz and waiting to see her dad pop out of the crowd and hand her maybe a rose.

Like a bunch of his other promises, he'd never come. What was she thinking? For the past eight years, he has never shown up for anything concerning her.

Why was today going to be an exception?

She sighed deeply, returning to the dressing room. She slipped off her pointe shoes, flexing her toes and wincing at its pain. She quickly changed into her regular clothes, packing her stuff into her dance bag and making her way out of the room.

"Micah!"

She turned around to see Reneé, a close friend of hers ever since she got into the academy, still dressed in her cyan blue ballet dress.

" You've changed already?" She asked.

"I had to, I've got a night shift at the store"

Micah replied.

My mum's here. She wants to meet you" she said excitedly.

"Let's go" Micah replied, a small smile on her lips.

They walked out of the theater into the wide open space. Renee's Mum, a middle aged woman was standing by a corner waiting for her. She looked just like Reneé, only older.

"Hi" Micah greeted warmly.

"You must be Micah" Renee's mum said with cheer.

"Yeah" Micah replied.

" So good to finally meet you, Reneé babbles nonstop about you. You must be a good girl "

"She is" Reneé chipped

"Are your parents here?" She asked.

"My dad's pretty busy so he couldn't make it " Micah explained.

"And your mum?"

Micah's eyes fell and she turned pale.

"Her mum's late" Reneé said, giving Micah's shoulder a squeeze. The older woman watched with pity, aware of how sad it was to lose one's mother.

"I'm sorry " she apologized

"It's fine, Micah assured, putting up a smile.

"I'll get going. Nice meeting you ma'am"she said almost hastily, walking away. Reneé went after her, catching up with her sooner.

"Hey, you'll be returning to the academy right?"she asked.

"That will be more shifts for me" Micah replied.

"I'll ask my mum, maybe she can..."

"Please don't, I don't wanna burden her with my problems " Micah interrupted.

"But...."

I'll ask my dad, he'll definitely help" Micah came again. Reneé raised a brow at her.

"You sure about that?"

"He's my dad" Micah replied.

"Okay then, I'll keep in touch" Reneé said finally, returning to her mum.

Micah continued her way, taking the next street. Was she really going to tell her dad? Definitely not!

She'd rather work ten shifts a day than ask the man for anything.

The cool night air hit her like a slap, snapping her out of her reverie. She walked briskly, her boots clicking on the pavement, her eyes scanning the deserted street.

It was late and the streets were empty, save for the occasional passers-by hurrying to catch a taxi. The street was poorly lit, with flickering streetlights casting eerie shadows on the wall.

Micah walked faster, her senses on high alert. She had learned to be vigilant, to trust her instincts especially when walking alone at night.

Suddenly, she sensed a strange presence. She had company.

A slightly bulky figure emerged, walking towards her. She stopped in her tracks in a bid to retreat,

More figures!

She could count up to five of them, six to be precise. She stood her ground, eyes flashing with a fierce determination. She had dealt with her fair share of bullies and tormentors and wasn't ready to back down.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a catch today" their leader sneered, smiling mischievously.

She knew him. A street guy who enjoyed taking his toll on girls.

" How was the performance, pretty swan?" He asked, licking his lips as he advanced towards her.

" You shouldn't be out in the cold, your skin's too delicate and....."

He was cut off by Micah's hand on his wrist on his attempt to caress her face. He smirked, sending a signal to his crew. The boys closed in, their eyes roving around her but she was ready.

With a swift kick, she took down the first boy, following a series of swift punches which sent the rest flying.

Taken aback by her ferocity, they stumbled backwards, momentarily stunned. She fought with precision and skill honed from years of ballet training, her movements fluid and deadly.

She stared at them for a while, her breathing steady, her focus unwavering. She picked up her dance bag, her chest heaving slightly.

"You're... you're not a lady" the leader stammered, clutching his stomach.

Micah smiled, a cold, hard smile." I'm whatever I need to be"

She took a step closer, whispering. "Thirty five dollars for a class, your skills are so unbearable"

With that, she walked away, disappearing into the night.

A distance away, behind the tinted glass of a black Bentley limo parked in a curb, a pair of piercing blue eyes had been watching the scene unfold with growing interest, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

He was amazed by the physical strength she possessed. Taking down six boys single handedly? He reasoned

"She seems like a hard nut" he said

"Sir?" His personal assistant asked, looking in the direction his boss stared.

"Gather every Intel on her" he ordered, eyes still fixed on her departing silhouette.

"Yes sir"

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